Talking Points: Mexico (January 16, 2018)

Talking Points – Safe Travel to Mexico

The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients when

discussing travel to Mexico. (Updated January 16, 2018)

1. The U.S. State Department has updated its Mexico country information to clarify which

areas of the country should be avoided. Mexico resort areas are classified as safe for

travelers with no travel restrictions. Travelers are advised to exercise safety precautions.

2. All travelers, no matter what country they visit, can take precautions to help ensure

their safety.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top

priority.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further

illustrate each talking point.

1. Mexico resort areas are listed as safe for travelers. The U.S. State Department has

updated its Mexico country information to clarify which areas of the country should be

avoided.

 Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business,

including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government

dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations, and there

is no evidence that organized criminal groups have targeted U.S. visitors and residents

based on their nationality.

 Major resort areas where Americans like to go, such as Cancun, Cozumel, the Riviera

Maya and Cabo San Lucas have no travel restrictions.

o The State Department lists most states in Mexico as “Level 2: Exercise Increased

Precaution”. Only a few Mexican states are listed as “Level 4: Do Not Travel”.

These states are:

 Colima

 Guerrero

 Michoacán

 Sinoloa

 Tamaulipas

 The State Department notes that criminal activity is the reason for

the Level 4 rating.

o The states of Quintana Roo (containing Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen,

Tulum, and the Riviera Maya), Yucatan (containing Chichen Itza), and Baja

California Sur (containing Cabo San Lucas) are all listed as Level 2.

 Level 2 indicates that travelers should remain alert and take sensible

safety precautions, however, they should feel confident in traveling to

those destinations.

2. All travelers, no matter what country they visit, can take precautions to help ensure

their safety.

 It is highly recommended that all travelers purchase travel insurance to protect

themselves if they become ill or injured, particularly in a foreign country, and require

medical treatment and/or evacuation.

 If our clients are going to pack one thing, we’d strongly recommend it be common sense.

No matter what our clients’ age or destination, they should always use good common

sense when it comes to their personal safety, just as they would at home.

 To maximize one’s personal safety and security while traveling in Mexico or any other

international destination:

o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they

could become dangerous.

o Stay in the well-known tourist areas of the cities.

o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.

o Visit only legitimate businesses and tourist areas, and avoid areas where

prostitution and drug dealing might occur.

o Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member back home.

o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is

capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.

o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other

valuable items.

o Make every attempt to travel during daylight hours, and stick to main roads.

 Additional precautions travelers can take, just as they would at home, include:

o Have someone you trust with you.

o If something seems suspicious, remove yourself from that situation.

o Be a good citizen. If you see a fellow traveler needing assistance don’t be afraid

to help.

o If traveling with children, be sure to keep an eye on them at all times, especially

near water as the resorts do not offer lifeguards.

 The U.S. State Department also advises the following specifically for travel to Mexico:

“U.S. citizens are encouraged to lower their personal profiles and to avoid displaying

indicators of wealth such as expensive or expensive-looking jewelry, watches, or

cameras. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain awareness of their surroundings and

avoid situations in which they may be isolated or stand out as potential victims.”

 We recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and register

their travel plans at https://step.state.gov. This will help the State Department contact

travelers if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or in the event an emergency

transpires in the place where the individual is traveling.

3. We are here to assist our clients; the safety and well-being of our clients is our top

priority.

 The safety and well-being of our clients is our top priority, and we would not send our

clients to a particular destination if we believed it to be unsafe.

 We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel plans.

 We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website for travel alerts for all

destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.

 Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may

be planning to travel there and provide detailed information on the situation so they can

make informed decisions for themselves if they still wish to travel.

 Our business is founded on repeat customers. Therefore, we want to be sure everything

goes off without a hitch.

 By working with a true travel professional, we assist our clients by consulting on the ideal

vacation experience they are looking for and providing alternative destinations should

the need arise.